STRATFORD Boat Club enjoyed a successful day at the Northampton Head of the Nene race at the weekend as athletes of all ages took part and the club came away with nine wins and a creditable further ten second places.
The women’s novice coxed eight secured a win with their first row as a ‘sweep oar’ crew of Theo Mordaunt, Olivia Hansen, Izzy Rosso, Charlotte Cox, Claire Teakle, Issy Finch, Lois Battersby, Sofia Ward and cox Emily Brooks.
The men’s novice coxed four narrowly missed out to an in-form King Edward VI School sister crew but again showed a great first competitive ‘sweep oar’ crew of Conrad Bird, Isaac Herring, Khalid Ahmad, Ben Evans and cox Emily Brooks.
The youngest competitors added to the medal haul with a first placing for Lauren Willis, Natalie Lincoln, Lara Davies, Izzy Marsden and cox Becky Stokes in a women’s junior coxed quad.
Georgina Cherry added to her trophy cabinet with two wins in the women’s junior single sculls and as part of a women’s junior coxed four which also consisted of Jasmine Key, Katie Evans, Robin Connolly and cox Ben Evans.
There was success in the women’s junior double sculls for Izzy Rosso and Claire Teakle and the club’s Esme Booth who won both her classes of women’s junior single sculls and as part of a women’s junior coxless quad with Laura Tiller, Jessica Cann and Niamh Mackey, bringing the medal tally to seven.
There were also pairs medals for club seniors Gary Clay and Thomas Doherty, and Richard Nelson and Simon Beard.
King Edward VI School chalked up a win in the novice coxed four ‘sweep oar’ boat and also took the accolade of ‘fastest boat of the day’ for their win in the coxed eight – a fine effort in a field of 167 boats.
All crews gave a good account of themselves, with some great times registered across the squad.
Coach Mark Holden said: “It was a great overall performance on the day with some terrific rows even if they didn’t result in a medal.”
The junior squad were not the only ones to win, as Richard Nelson and crew-mate Simon also won their category against Northampton University Rowing Club in the IM2 by a comfortable margin.
Stratford Boat Club members joined those from the Scout Association and residents from Welford-on-Avon in a service of thanksgiving for Felix Badcock, the club’s president.
Welford Church was full with standing room only, which was a fitting tribute to a great man and a father figure, not only for Stratford Boat Club but the greater Stratford community.
At Felix’s request, the boat club had a ‘Celebration for Felix’ at the club on Saturday afternoon when his many achievements and highlights were remembered.
